One button access to network services from a remote control device

ABSTRACT

Systems and methods of accessing a network-based communication service provide for generating a dialing request at a remote control device based on user input. A dialing signal is transmitted toward a mobile communication device based on the request, where the dialing signal instructs the mobile communication device to access the network-based communication service. Communication services can enable a user to use information retrieval at a network server as well as use number dialing at the network server. In one example, the dialing signal is transmitted according to a Bluetooth standard.

TECHNICAL FIELD

Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to wirelesscommunication and more particularly, to accessing network-basedcommunication services via a mobile communication device and a remotecontrol device.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

As society continues to become more and more mobile, the importance ofwireless services becomes increasingly apparent. A particular concernrelates to the ease of using mobile communication devices. For example,the need to simplify user manipulation of certain mobile communicationdevices while the user is driving has been well documented. One approachto addressing this concern has been to use speech recognition technologyto process voice commands from the user. While the use of speechrecognition technology has alleviated concerns in some regards, a numberof difficulties remain.

One particular difficulty results from the inherent ergonomiclimitations of conventional mobile communication device keypads. Forexample, a typical mobile communication device such as a wireless phoneor personal digital assistant (PDA) configured for wirelesscommunication, has a keypad with many small buttons representing theletters of the alphabet, digits from zero to nine, etc. The size andsheer number of buttons on the keypad can require a relatively highamount of attention and effort on behalf of the user to enter the voicecommand mode. Thus, although the subsequent entry of voice commands tothe speech recognition system of the communication device can reduce theeffort required to dial numbers, there is still room for improvement.There is therefore a need for an approach to operating a wirelesscommunication device that does not require the user to manipulate acomplicated keypad.

While developments have been made in providing a simplified remotedevice to be used in conjunction with a wireless communication device,certain difficulties remain. In particular, the typical approach hasbeen to permit the user to store voice tags in the memory of thecommunication device and access the communication device via asimplified remote device, where the voice tags are associated withtelephone numbers stored in the memory of communication device. Such anapproach is device-based in that the voice dialing functionality isrestricted to the mobile communication device. As a result, theconventional remote device does not facilitate the use of more robustservices available on the network. There is therefore a need for awireless communication technique that provides for access tonetwork-based communication services.

While certain dedicated services like the commercially available OnStar®system provide one-button access to concierge and emergency services,the systems use a transceiver that is fixed to the vehicle and lackflexibility. There is therefore a need for a wireless communicationapproach that does not require the use of a fixed communication deviceand/or transceiver.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Systems and methods of accessing network-based communication servicesprovide for more robust services as well as reduced effort on the partof the user. In one aspect, a method of accessing a network-basedcommunication service provides for generating a dialing request at aremote control device based on user input. A dialing signal istransmitted toward a mobile communication device based on the request,where the dialing signal instructs the mobile communication device toaccess the network-based communication service.

In another aspect, a method of accessing a network-based communicationservice provides for receiving a dialing signal at a mobilecommunication device. The dialing signal is based on user input to aremote control device. The method further provides for accessing thenetwork-based communication service in response to the dialing signal.

Yet another aspect provides for a remote control device having a userinterface and a device communication module coupled to the userinterface. The device communication module transmits a dialing signaltoward a mobile communication device based on a dialing request from theuser interface. The dialing signal instructs the mobile communicationdevice to access a network-based communication service.

In another aspect, a mobile communication device includes a phonecommunication module and a wireless transceiver. The phone communicationmodule receives a dialing signal that is based on user input to a remotecontrol device. The wireless transceiver is coupled to the phonecommunication module and accesses a network-based communication servicein response to the dialing signal.

In a further aspect, a method of providing a network-based communicationservice provides for receiving a call from a mobile communicationdevice, wherein the call is initiated by user input to a remote controldevice. The network-based communication service is generated during thecall.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The various advantages of the embodiments of the present invention willbecome apparent to one skilled in the art by reading the followingspecification and appended claims, and by referencing the followingdrawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a diagram of an example of a wireless communication systemaccording to one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a diagram of an example of a wireless communication systemaccording to an alternative embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 3 is a flowchart of an example of a method of using a remotecontrol device to access a network-based communication service accordingto one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 4 is a flowchart of an example of a process of processing a dialingrequest from a user interface according to one embodiment of theinvention; and

FIG. 5 is a flowchart of an example of a method of using a mobilecommunication device to access a network-based communication serviceaccording to one embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 shows a wireless communication system 10 in which network-basedcommunication services can be accessed from an automotive cabin 12 orother location in a unique and advantageous fashion. Generally, a remotecontrol device 14 communicates with a mobile communication device 16,which communicates with a server 18 operated by a communication servicesprovider 20. The server 18 can provide a wide variety of network-basedcommunication services such as, but not limited to, short messagingservice (SMS), multimedia messaging service (MMS), instant messaging(IM), voice information services and voice dialing services to a user(not shown) in automotive cabin 12.

For example, the voice information service can enable the user toretrieve information from information database 22 by speaking into themobile communication device 16. Information can also be retrieved froman operator 23 in a human-implemented service. The types of informationthat can be retrieved includes, but is not limited to, sportsinformation, news information, weather forecasts and telephone booklistings (i.e., 411 information). The server 18 can also retrieveinformation from network 24 or any other appropriate source.

Similarly, the voice dialing service can enable the user to use numberdialing at the network server 18 by speaking into the mobilecommunication device 16. Numbers may be stored in a dialing database 26or retrieved from network 24 or any other suitable location. An exampleof a commercially available network-based communication service thatenables information retrieval as well as voice dialing is the #121device provided by AT&T Wireless Services in Redmond, Wash.

Alternatively, the network-based communication services can includeautomated communication services, which do not respond to or requirevoice commands. One example of an automated communication service is acall being placed by the user and the server 18 automatically playing aprerecorded message. Another example of an automated communicationservice is the server 18 automatically registering a vote in response toreceiving a call. The server could also perform various predeterminedfunctions based on available caller identification (ID) information uponreceiving a call.

The user initiates a call to the server 18 by pressing, or otherwisemanipulating, a user interface 28 on the remote control device 14, whichtransmits a dialing signal to the mobile communication device 16. Themobile communication device 16 places the call to the server 18 inresponse to the dialing signal, where the user is able to input voicecommands during the call. Although the connection between the mobilecommunication device 16 and the remote control device 14 is shown asbeing a wireless connection, the devices 16,14 can alternativelycommunicate over a wired connection. The mobile communication device 16can be a wireless phone, personal digital assistant (PDA) configured forwireless communication, or any other communication device that isreadily removable from the automotive cabin 12. An example of a PDAconfigured for wireless communication is the Siemens SX56 Pocket PCPhone available from AT&T Wireless Services, Redmond, Wash. As will bediscussed in greater detail, the remote control device 14 has asimplified user interface 28 that substantially reduces the amount ofeffort required on the part of the user. The automotive cabin 12 ismerely an illustrative example, and represents only one particularlyuseful environment in which embodiments of the invention can be used.

Turning now to FIG. 2, one approach to a wireless communication system10′ is shown in greater detail. Specifically, a remote control device14′ has a user interface 28′ and a remote communication module 30coupled to the user interface 28′. The remote communication module 30transmits a dialing signal toward the mobile communication device 16′based on a dialing request from the user interface 28′. The dialingsignal can be a mere voltage pulse associated with the closing (oropening) of a switch that is incorporated into the button 32, where thepulse instructs the mobile communication device 16′ to access anetwork-based communication service.

In particular, the user interface 28′ has an access button 32 that isdedicated to the network-based communication service in question, whereuser manipulation of the button 32 initiates the dialing request. Forexample, the button 32 might be a “Voice Dialing” button. Alternatively,the button 32 could be dedicated to all of the communication servicesprovided under a plan associated with a particular service provider. Ineither case, the button 32 is dedicated to network-based communicationservices. In the illustrated example, the user interface 28′ has nobuttons other than the access button 32 in order to maximize simplicityfor the user, although additional buttons could be provided. The remotecontrol device 14′ may also include a memory 34 that stores a telephonenumber 36 associated with the network-based communication service. Thememory 34 may also store instructions 38 to be used by and/or inconjunction with remote communication module 30 to communicate withdevice 16′.

The illustrated remote control device 14′ also has a microphone 35,which receives audible input such as voice commands from the user, wherethe audible input generally flows through the remote communicationmodule 30 and the mobile communication device 16′ to the server 18. Aspeaker 37 receives signals in the other direction for audible output tothe user. Mobile communication device 16′ also has a microphone 41 andspeaker 45 for receiving and generating audible signals, respectively.Thus, either remote control device 14′ or mobile communication device16′ can be used to communicate once the connection to the network-basedcommunication service has been established. Alternatively, an externalmicrophone and speaker (not shown) may be used to communicate.

The connection 40 between the remote control device 14′ and the mobilecommunication device 16′ can be either wired or wireless. The wirelessconnection can be a radio frequency (RF) connection such as a connectionin accordance with a Bluetooth standard (Bluetooth V1.1 CoreSpecifications, Jan. 3, 2003; Hands-Free Profile Specification V1.0,Apr. 30, 2003, etc.). In such a case, the remote communication module 30is a Bluetooth module. The wireless connection could also be an IEEE802.11x connection or an infrared (IR) connection. The wired connectioncould be made in accordance with any suitable wireline standard (e.g.,Telecommunications Industry Association, TIA/EIA-789-A, ElectricalSpecification for the Portable Phone to Vehicle Interface, April 2000).

As already noted, the mobile communication device 16′ can be a wirelessphone or a PDA configured for wireless communication, for example. Inthe illustrated example, mobile communication device 16′ has a phonecommunication module 42 and a wireless transceiver 44 coupled to thephone communication module 42. The wireless transceiver 44, as well ascommunication device 16, can be readily removed from the automotivecabin 12 (FIG. 1). The phone communication module 42 receives thedialing signal from the remote control device 14′ and the wirelesstransceiver 44 accesses the network-based communication service inresponse to the dialing signal. The wireless transceiver 44 can obtainthe network-based communication service from server 18 via base station(BS) 46 and mobile switching center (MSC) 48.

Turning now to FIG. 3, a method 50 of using a remote control device toaccess a network-based communication service is shown. Method 50 can beimplemented in a remote control device using any combination ofcommercially available hardware and/or software programming techniques.For example, portions of method 50 can be implemented as a set ofinstructions stored in a machine-readable medium such as read-onlymemory (ROM), compact disk ROM (CD-ROM), electrically erasableprogrammable ROM (EEPROM), random access memory (RAM), etc., where theinstructions are capable of being executed by a processor to accessnetwork-based communication services.

Specifically, a user manipulates a dedicated access button of a remotecontrol device user interface at processing block 52. Block 54 providesfor generating a dialing request based on user input to the remotecontrol device. A dialing signal is transmitted toward a mobilecommunication device at block 56 based on the request, where the dialingsignal instructs the mobile communication device to access thenetwork-based communication service. Such instruction can beaccomplished by including a command in the dialing signal that causesthe mobile communication device to dial the service number.Alternatively, instruction can be accomplished by including a programcall in the dialing signal, where the program call activates a softwareprogram in the mobile communication device and the software programdials the service. The software program could be stored in memory 43,which could be a subscriber identity module (SIM), universal SIM (USIM)or other suitable storage medium.

The software program could also check for updates to the service number.Originating the update check at the mobile communication device (i.e.,“pull” instead of “push”) enables the use of pre-existing securitymechanisms of the device, and provides a highly secure update process.As a result, concerns over the service access number being changed to a900 number or an overseas number as part of an illicit redirection scamcan be largely obviated.

FIG. 4 shows one approach to processing a dialing request in greaterdetail at block 54′. Generally, block 54′ has an offline mode and anonline mode. In the offline mode, authorization to write to the memoryof the remote control device is verified at block 58. Verification canbe achieved by any commercially available technique such as personalidentification (PIN) authentication or digital signature authentication.Upon verification, block 60 provides for storing a telephone numberassociated with the network-based communication service, where the datasignal is to include the telephone number. The telephone number can bestored based on input from a provider of the network-based communicationservice, a manufacturer of the remote control device, or the user. Whereinput from the service provider is used, storage can be initiated byeither the service provider or a user of the remote control device. Inthe online mode, block 62 provides for retrieving the telephone numberfrom the memory of the remote control device. It should be noted that analternative approach would be to store the service telephone number to amemory 43 (FIG. 2) of the mobile communication device, where the dialingsignal further instructs the mobile communication device to retrieve thetelephone number from memory 43.

Turning now to FIG. 5, a method 64 of using a mobile communicationdevice to access a network-based communication service is shown.Portions of method 64 may be implemented in a mobile communicationdevice as a set of instructions stored in a machine-readable medium.Specifically, block 66 provides for receiving a dialing signal at themobile communication device, where the dialing signal is based on userinput to a remote control device. The dialing request may be obtainedthrough a user interface. The network-based communication service isaccessed at block 68 in response to the dialing signal. Access to thenetwork-based communication service can be made via a traditionalcircuit-switched connection, or via a packet-switched connection such asa Voice Over Internet Protocol (VoIP) connection. The user is then ableto speak into the wireless communication device at block 70 to retrieve,identify and/or use the desired services. Alternatively, thenetwork-based communication services can include services that do notrequire voice commands. In such a case, accessing the network-basedcommunication service at block 68 would result in automatic generationof the service in question.

Thus, by enabling a user to access network-based communication servicesfrom an automotive cabin, the user is presented with many more featuresthan available under conventional approaches. Furthermore, by enablingthe user to initiate the dialing request through remote access that isdedicated to a particular network-based communication service, theamount of effort required on the part of the user is significantlyreduced.

Those skilled in the art can appreciate from the foregoing descriptionthat the broad techniques of the embodiments of the present inventioncan be implemented in a variety of forms. Therefore, while theembodiments of this invention have been described in connection withparticular examples thereof, the true scope of the embodiments of theinvention should not be so limited since other modifications will becomeapparent to the skilled practitioner upon a study of the drawings,specification, and following claims. Although the innovations disclosedherein have been discussed primarily in the context of generic bearerservices, any suitable bearer service may be used such as, but notlimited to, GSM, PSTN/ISDN, SIP-based VoIP, ISO/OSI layers 1-3, etc.

1. A method comprising: generating a dialing request at a remote controldevice based on an operation of a user interface consisting of a singlededicated control of the remote control device, the dedicated controlgenerating the dialing request to transmit a dialing signal to a mobilecommunication device; transmitting the dialing signal from the remotecontrol device toward the mobile communication device based on thedialing request, wherein the dialing signal includes a telephone numberassociated with a network-based communication service and a programcall; in response to receiving the program call, activating, by themobile communication device, a software program that performs an updatecheck of the telephone number associated with the network-basedcommunication service included in the dialing signal; establishingcommunications between the mobile communication device and thenetwork-based communication service using a telephone number returned asa result of the update check, wherein the update check is a pulloperation enabling use of pre-existing security features of the mobilecommunication device; receiving audio input at a microphone of theremote control device; and forwarding the audio input to the mobilecommunication device for transmission to the network-based communicationservice.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the dialing request isinitiated by a user manipulation of an access button of the remotecontrol device.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the network-basedcommunication service is a voice information service, the voiceinformation service enabling a user to use information retrieval at anetwork server.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the network-basedcommunication service is a voice dialing service, the voice dialingservice enabling a user to use number dialing at a network server. 5.The method of claim 1, wherein the network-based communication serviceis an automated communication service that does not require voicecommands.
 6. The method of claim 5, wherein accessing the automatedcommunication service results in an automatic playing of a prerecordedmessage.
 7. The method of claim 5, wherein accessing the automatedcommunication service results in an automatic registering of a vote. 8.The method of claim 1, further including storing the updated telephonenumber to the memory before generating the dialing request.
 9. Themethod of claim 8, further including storing the updated telephonenumber to the memory based on input from a user of the mobilecommunication device.
 10. The method of claim 8, wherein storage of theupdated telephone number to the memory is initiated by the provider ofthe network-based communication service.
 11. The method of claim 8,wherein storage of the updated telephone number to the memory isinitiated by a user of the remote control device.
 12. The method ofclaim 8, further including storing the telephone number to the memorybased on input from a manufacturer of the remote control device.
 13. Themethod of claim 8, further including verifying authorization to write tothe memory before storing the telephone number.
 14. The method of claim1, wherein the transmitting of the dialing signal occurs over a wirelessconnection with the mobile communication device.
 15. The method of claim14, wherein the wireless connection is a radio frequency (RF)connection.
 16. The method of claim 15, wherein the transmitting of thedialing signal occurs in accordance with a Bluetooth standard.
 17. Themethod of claim 14, wherein the wireless connection is an infrared (IR)connection.
 18. The method of claim 1, wherein the transmitting of thedialing signal occurs over a wired connection with the mobilecommunication device.
 19. The method of claim 1, wherein the mobilecommunication device is a personal digital assistant (PDA) configuredfor wireless communication.
 20. The method of claim 1, wherein themobile communication device is a wireless phone.
 21. A method ofremotely accessing a network-based communication service comprising:receiving a dialing signal from a remote control device at a mobilecommunication device, the dialing signal being based on an operation ofa user interface consisting of a dedicated control of the remote controldevice, the dedicated control dedicated to generating a dialing requestto transmit the dialing signal to the mobile communication device,wherein the dialing signal includes a telephone number associated with anetwork-based communication service and a program call, wherein thetelephone number is stored to a memory of the remote control devicebased on input from a provider of the network-based communicationservice; in response to receiving the dialing signal, the mobilecommunication device activates a software program that performs anupdate check of the telephone number associated with the network-basedcommunication service; establishing communications between the mobilecommunication device and the network-based communication service using atelephone number returned as a result of the update check, wherein theupdate check is a pull operation enabling use of pre-existing securityfeatures of the mobile communication device; receiving audio input at amicrophone of the remote control device; and forwarding the audio inputto the mobile communication device for transmission to the network-basedcommunication service.
 22. The method of claim 21, wherein a dialingrequest is initiated by a user manipulation of an access button of theremote control device.
 23. The method of claim 21, wherein thenetwork-based communication service is a voice information service, thevoice information service enabling a user to use information retrievalat a network server.
 24. The method of claim 21, wherein thenetwork-based communication service is a voice dialing service, thevoice dialing service enabling a user to use number dialing at a networkserver.
 25. The method of 21, wherein the network-based communicationservice is an automated communication service that does not requirevoice commands.
 26. The method of claim 21, wherein the receiving of thedialing signal occurs over a wireless connection with the remote controldevice.
 27. The method of claim 26, wherein the wireless connection is aradio frequency (RF) connection.
 28. The method of claim 27, wherein thereceiving of the dialing signal occurs in accordance with a Bluetoothstandard.
 29. The method of claim 26, wherein the wireless connection isan infrared (IR) connection.
 30. The method of claim 27, wherein thereceiving of the dialing signal occurs over a wired connection with theremote control device.
 31. A vehicle-mounted mobile communication systemfor wirelessly accessing a network-based communication system, thesystem comprising: a remote control device comprising: a user interfacehaving an access button that is dedicated to generating a dialingrequest to transmit a dialing signal to a mobile communication device,wherein the dialing signal includes a telephone number associated with anetwork-based communication service and a program call to activate asoftware program that causes the mobile communication device to performan update check of the telephone number associated with thenetwork-based communication service, wherein the telephone number isstored to a memory of the remote control device based on input from aprovider of the network-based communication service; a microphone toreceive audio input at the remote control device; and a remotecommunication module coupled to the user interface, the remotecommunication module to transmit the dialing signal, the dialing signalto instruct the mobile communication device to access a network-basedcommunication service, and the remote communication module configured toforward the audio input for transmission to the network-basedcommunication service; and a mobile communication device configured tobe removeably mounted in a vehicle comprising: a phone communicationmodule configured to receive the dialing signal from the remotecommunication module of the remote control device, perform an updatecheck of a telephone number using a pull operation from thenetwork-based communication service thereby enabling use of pre-existingsecurity features of the mobile communication device, access thenetwork-based communication service using a telephone number returned tothe mobile wireless transceiver in response to the update check andtransmit the audio input to the network-based communication service. 32.The system of claim 31, wherein the network-based communication serviceis a voice information service, the voice information service to enablea user to use information retrieval at a network server.
 33. The systemof claim 31, wherein the network-based communication service is a voicedialing service, the voice dialing service to enable a user to usenumber dialing at a network server.
 34. The system of claim 31, whereinthe network-based communication service is an automated communicationservice that does not require voice commands.
 35. The system of claim31, further including a memory, the memory to store a telephone numberassociated with the network-based communication service.
 36. The systemof claim 31, wherein the remote communication module includes aBluetooth module, the Bluetooth module to transmit the dialing signalaccording to a Bluetooth standard.
 37. A mobile communication devicecomprising: a phone communication module, the phone communication moduleto receive, from a remote control device, a dialing signal that is basedon an operation of a user interface having a dedicated control of theremote control device, the dedicated control dedicated to generating adialing request to transmit the dialing signal to the mobilecommunication device, wherein the dialing signal includes a telephonenumber associated with a network-based communication service and aprogram call to activate a software program, wherein the telephonenumber is stored to a memory of the remote control device based on inputfrom a provider of the network-based communication service and the phonecommunication module to receive audio input to a microphone at theremote control device; a wireless transceiver coupled to the phonecommunication module, the wireless transceiver to access thenetwork-based communication service in response to the dialing signal,and the wireless transceiver to forward the audio input to a microphoneat the remote control device to the network-based communication service;and a processor configured to execute the activated software program,the software program functioning cause the processor to: perform anupdate check, which is a pull operation enabling use of pre-existingsecurity features of the mobile communication device, of the telephonenumber associated with the network-based communication service bycausing the wireless transceiver to access the network-basedcommunication service to pull a telephone number associated with thenetwork-based communication service, wherein the pulled telephone numberis used to access the network-based communication service.
 38. Themobile communication device of claim 37, wherein the dialing request isinitiated by a user manipulation of an access button of the remotecontrol device.
 39. The mobile communication device of claim 37, furtherincluding a memory to store a telephone number associated with thenetwork-based communication service, the wireless transceiver to use thetelephone number to access the network-based communication service inresponse to the dialing signal when performing the update check of thetelephone number.
 40. The mobile communication device of claim 37,wherein the network-based communication service is a voice informationservice, the voice information service to enable a user to useinformation retrieval at a network server.
 41. The mobile communicationdevice of claim 37, wherein the network-based communication service is avoice dialing service, the voice dialing service to enable a user to usenumber dialing at a network server.
 42. The mobile communication deviceof claim 37, wherein the network-based communication service is anautomated communication service that does not require voice commands.43. The mobile communication device of claim 37, wherein the mobilecommunication device is a personal digital assistant (PDA) configuredfor wireless communication.
 44. The mobile communication device of claim37, wherein the mobile communication device is a wireless phone.
 45. Amachine readable medium encoded with a computer program comprising a setof stored instructions capable of being executed by a processor to:generate a dialing request at a remote control device based on anoperation of a user interface having a dedicated control of the remotecontrol device, the dedicated control dedicated to generating thedialing request to transmit a dialing signal to a mobile communicationdevice, wherein the dialing signal includes a telephone numberassociated with a network-based communication service, wherein thetelephone number is stored to a memory of the remote control devicebased on input from a provider of the network-based communicationservice; transmit the dialing signal from the remote control devicetoward a mobile communication device based on the request; in responseto receiving the dialing signal, the mobile communication deviceactivates a software program that performs an update check of thetelephone number associated with the network-based communicationservice, wherein the update check is a pull operation enabling use ofpre-existing security features of the mobile communication device;establishing communications between the mobile communication device andthe network-based communication service using a telephone numberreturned as abased on the result of the update check; receive audioinput at a microphone of the remote control device; and forward theaudio input to the mobile communication device for transmission to thenetwork-based communication service.
 46. The machine readable medium ofclaim 45, wherein the dialing request is to be initiated by a usermanipulation of an access button of the remote control device.
 47. Amachine readable medium encoded with a computer program comprising a setof stored instructions capable of being executed by a processor to:receive a dialing signal from a remote control device at a mobilecommunication device, the dialing signal being based on an operation ofa user interface consisting of a single dedicated control of the remotecontrol device, the dedicated control dedicated to generating a dialingrequest to transmit the dialing signal to the mobile communicationdevice, wherein the dialing signal includes a telephone numberassociated with a network-based communication service, wherein thetelephone number is stored to a memory of the remote control devicebased on input from a provider of the network-based communicationservice; in response to receiving the dialing signal, the mobilecommunication device activates a software program that performs anupdate check of the telephone number associated with the network-basedcommunication service, wherein the update check is a pull operationenabling use of pre-existing security features of the mobilecommunication device; establishing communications between the mobilecommunication device and the network-based communication service using atelephone number returned as abased on the result of the update check;receive audio input at a microphone of the remote control device; andforward the audio input to the mobile communication device fortransmission to the network-based communication service.
 48. The machinereadable medium of claim 47, wherein the dialing request is to beinitiated by a user manipulation of an access button of the remotecontrol device.
 49. A method of providing a network-based communicationservice comprising: receiving a call from a mobile communication device,the call being initiated by an operation of a user interface consistingof a single dedicated control of a remote control device, the dedicatedcontrol dedicated to generating a dialing request to transmit abinary-valued dialing signal to the mobile communication device, whereinthe dialing signal includes a telephone number associated with thenetwork-based communication service, wherein the telephone number isstored to a memory of the remote control device based on input from aprovider of the network-based communication service; in response to thecall from the mobile communication device, returning from an updatecheck that performs a pull operation enabling user of pre-existingsecurity of the mobile communication device from the network-basedcommunication service to the mobile communication device an updatedtelephone number associated with the network-based communicationservice; accessing, by the mobile communication device, thenetwork-based communication service using the updated telephone numberassociated with the network-based communication service; receiving audiotransmitted from the mobile communication device, the audio being inputat a microphone of the remote control device; and forwarded to themobile communication device for transmission to the network-basedcommunication service; and generating a network-based communicationservice during the call.
 50. The method of claim 49, wherein the dialingrequest is initiated by a user manipulation of an access button of theremote control device.
 51. The method of claim 49, further includinggenerating a voice information service, the voice information serviceenabling a user to use information retrieval at a network server byspeaking into the mobile communication device.
 52. The method of claim49, further including generating a voice dialing service, the voicedialing service enabling a user to use number dialing at a networkserver by speaking into the mobile communication device.
 53. The methodof claim 49, further including generating an automated communicationservice in response to receiving the call.
 54. The method of claim 49,wherein the network-based communication service is an automatedcommunication service that does not require voice commands.
 55. Themethod of claim 54, further including automatically playing aprerecorded message in response to receiving the call.
 56. The method ofclaim 54, further including automatically registering a vote in responseto receiving the call.